Alyssa Quirico.
Writer, photographer, multimedia journalist and social media strategist.
Investigations.
Inside Secondary Suites , a Calgary Journal special investigation
From January to April 2014, I was the lead editor on this special investigation. I led a team of over 30 reporters who dove into the issue of secondary suites in Calgary. I helped to create and populate a website that houses our research and also had a hand in publishing a 12-page spread in the April 2013 print edition of the Calgary Journal.
WHAT: After months of research and interviews, calgarysecondarysuites.ca compiles everything you need to know on the topic including a data analysis on suite appeals, photo gallery that explores the human face of secondary suites, and various articles on the issue including an exclusive one-on-one interview I conducted with the mayor.
WHY: The term “secondary suites” has been covered extensively but slowly by media for many years. We provide a one stop-shot to hear all sides of the topic. Since Mayor Naheed Nenshi took office in 2010, he has made legalizing secondary suites his No. 1 goal on his list of 12 Better Ideas for Calgary. However, he has been unable to convince city council to expand zoning for them. While he and his supporters argue that anyone should be allowed to develop a secondary suite in their home, others argue they don't fit the culture of every neighbourhood.
Solutions for Calgary's Tight Housing Market , a Calgary Journal investigation into alternative housing
Many Calgary residents refer to their city as a "big, small town." With roughly 726 square kilometres of downtown condos, suburban-family homes, as well as parks and rivers, Calgary is a city that's continuing to build outwards.
According to the latest census data released in April 2013, Calgary's population grew by more than 30,000 people from 2012 to 2013, which is consistent with the rate of growth from the year before. MoneySense magazine also rated Calgary as the No. 1 large city in Canada on its 2013 best places to live list. Not to mention Calgary was awarded the title of culture capital of Canada in 2012.
With the city's reputation improving throughout the nation and money-hungry Canadians gravitating to Alberta's rich economy, questions around where these newcomers will live, how they will afford to thrive here and how the city can sustain them, are at the forefront of many minds.
From January to December 2013, myself and two other reporters explored alternative housing options available in Calgary and the issues surrounding them including affordability and zoning.